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Only one enrollment form needs to be completed for all desired courses.
Deadline:
03/01/2026
Format:
Online
Term Offered:
Spring
Overview
This course gives instruction in the policy process and strategies for collecting and disseminating research findings to inform and influence that process. The course will be taught online over a 10-week period using a set of videos and guided readings. Trainees will be supported in their development of a policy strategy to address a healthcare problem of their own choosing. Participants will give and receive weekly feedback from instructors and peers about their policy strategy. They will also learn about and provide online feedback about the policy strategy that their classmates use to address other health care issues. Participants will...
This course gives instruction in the policy process and strategies for collecting and disseminating research findings to inform and influence that process. The course will be taught online over a 10-week period using a set of videos and guided readings. Trainees will be supported in their development of a policy strategy to address a healthcare problem of their own choosing. Participants will give and receive weekly feedback from instructors and peers about their policy strategy. They will also learn about and provide online feedback about the policy strategy that their classmates use to address other health care issues. Participants will emerge from this class with a clearer understanding of the policy process and how they can become information brokers capable of using evidence to inform the policy process.
Course Details
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Determine what problems in health care are "ripe" for a policy solution.
- Identify policy targets at the local, state, national, and international level.
- Locate, interpret and influence existing legislative and administrative policy.
- Map stakeholders around a policy issue and identify strategies to engage supporters or diffuse opponents.
- Build strategic relationships with stakeholders engaged in a policy issue.
- Develop strategies for disseminating research through the media to influence the policy process.
- Organize effective communication strategies with policymakers to influence decision making.
- Design community based participatory research or recognize how research is used in the policy process.
- Plan and engage in community organizing and grassroots advocacy activities.
- Design a logic model to guide implementation and evaluation of a policy campaign.
- Assess your capacity to sustain your participation in the policy campaign.
None
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 10 weekly modules. Each week, learners view recorded lectures, assigned readings, and submit written assignments in an online forum. Weekly synchronous meetings occur over Zoom. When scheduling meetings, faculty strive to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals across multiple time zones. Synchronous meetings are strongly recommended but not required.
Completing this course will take approximately 4-6 hours per module.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
All learners who meet the minimum course requirements will receive a formal letter documenting their successful completion of the course, its objectives, and requirements. Only learners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may receive a letter grade on their UCSF transcript. UCSF graduate students should complete the ImS enrollment form (see below) and enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
In order to receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by course Ground Rules and Community Norms (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks.
- Provide written feedback on assignments submitted by at least 2 peers by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks OR attend at least 8 of 10 discussion sections. We ask that students choose primarily one modality or the other in order to promote group cohesion in the discussion section; however, if a student needs to miss an occasional discussion section this can be made up by providing written feedback to peers.
Success in this course is determined as pass/no pass. Successful learners will receive a letter of course completion following the end of the term.
Students who do not turn in weekly assignments on time or do not provide required feedback to peers in more than two weeks will have the option of auditing or dropping the course.* In either case, course fees will not be refunded.
Academic Year 2025-2026: The fee for each course is $2,900. A reduced fee of $2,250 is available for individuals affiliated with UCSF, individuals based in countries designated as low- or lower-middle-income economies (LMIC), and individuals based in areas of ongoing armed conflict. Applicants seeking the reduced fee will be asked to provide support for their status. UCSF affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF–sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; or a registered student in one of the UCSF professional schools or graduate programs; or individuals who hold full-time salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff positions.
Fees do not include books, supplies, or software. (These costs are minimal as most readings are from open-access journals.)
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Determine what problems in health care are "ripe" for a policy solution.
- Identify policy targets at the local, state, national, and international level.
- Locate, interpret and influence existing legislative and administrative policy.
- Map stakeholders around a policy issue and identify strategies to engage supporters or diffuse opponents.
- Build strategic relationships with stakeholders engaged in a policy issue.
- Develop strategies for disseminating research through the media to influence the policy process.
- Organize effective communication strategies with policymakers to influence decision making.
- Design community based participatory research or recognize how research is used in the policy process.
- Plan and engage in community organizing and grassroots advocacy activities.
- Design a logic model to guide implementation and evaluation of a policy campaign.
- Assess your capacity to sustain your participation in the policy campaign.
None
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 10 weekly modules. Each week, learners view recorded lectures, assigned readings, and submit written assignments in an online forum. Weekly synchronous meetings occur over Zoom. When scheduling meetings, faculty strive to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals across multiple time zones. Synchronous meetings are strongly recommended but not required.
Completing this course will take approximately 4-6 hours per module.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
All learners who meet the minimum course requirements will receive a formal letter documenting their successful completion of the course, its objectives, and requirements. Only learners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may receive a letter grade on their UCSF transcript. UCSF graduate students should complete the ImS enrollment form (see below) and enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
In order to receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by course Ground Rules and Community Norms (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks.
- Provide written feedback on assignments submitted by at least 2 peers by the designated due date and time in 8 of 10 weeks OR attend at least 8 of 10 discussion sections. We ask that students choose primarily one modality or the other in order to promote group cohesion in the discussion section; however, if a student needs to miss an occasional discussion section this can be made up by providing written feedback to peers.
Success in this course is determined as pass/no pass. Successful learners will receive a letter of course completion following the end of the term.
Students who do not turn in weekly assignments on time or do not provide required feedback to peers in more than two weeks will have the option of auditing or dropping the course.* In either case, course fees will not be refunded.
Academic Year 2025-2026: The fee for each course is $2,900. A reduced fee of $2,250 is available for individuals affiliated with UCSF, individuals based in countries designated as low- or lower-middle-income economies (LMIC), and individuals based in areas of ongoing armed conflict. Applicants seeking the reduced fee will be asked to provide support for their status. UCSF affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF–sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; or a registered student in one of the UCSF professional schools or graduate programs; or individuals who hold full-time salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff positions.
Fees do not include books, supplies, or software. (These costs are minimal as most readings are from open-access journals.)
Meet the Faculty
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How to Enroll
Whether you're exploring the field, enhancing your skills, or working toward a larger academic goal, most individual courses are open to everyone. Below, you’ll find details on course fees, how to apply and pay, and the full course schedule. Be sure you understand the enrollment policies and payment process before completing the enrollment form.
And remember: you only need to submit one form for all the new courses you want to take.
Leaners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may take this course Pass/No Pass or for a letter grade. Please
- Consult with your program manager about taking ImS courses
- Complete the ImS enrollment form (see below), and
- Enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
Direct any enrollment questions to your program manager.
Enrollment policies and payment process (please read before completing the enrollment form)
Please complete this form and select courses. An invoice will be sent shortly.
For returning learners or those who previously created an account, please login to your existing account to select additional courses. To find the unique link to your account, search your inbox for UCSF Implementation Science Program: Registration Link.
For help accessing your existing account, please email [email protected].
Enrollment in selected courses will be confirmed upon receipt of payment. If a course fills ahead of the registration deadline, you will be placed on a waitlist and notified.
If the registration deadline has passed, please inquire about enrollment opportunities: [email protected].
About two weeks before the course begins, enrolled learners will be sent a welcome note that includes course access instructions as well as the syllabus.
The schedule of synchronous meetings (Zoom) will be determined during the first week of the course. Please promptly respond to any inquiries about your availability. Direct any questions to the faculty leader of the small group to which you will be assigned.